| Levels
of crucial signal processing protein are decreased in brains of people
with schizophrenia Levels of a pivotal signal processing protein in the brain are reduced significantly in people with schizophrenia, according to an article in the August issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. The American team found that the processing protein, called DARPP-32, was significantly reduced in quantities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 14 deceased people with schizophrenia compared with normal levels in the brains of people who had not had schizophrenia. The protein is the subject of increasing scientific interest: The neurotransmitters dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin, the antidepressant Prozac, and even drugs of abuse like cocaine, opiates, and nicotine all have been found to work in the brain through the actions of this protein. Dr. Paul Greengard, a senior member of the research team, won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2000 for his work with the protein. "DARPP-32 is a key regulatory protein, involved in controlling receptors, ion channels, and other physiological factors, and is activated and deactivated ultimately by neurotransmitters that are implicated in the development of schizophrenia," Dr. Greengard said. "A reduction of DARPP-32 required for functions in the brain could contribute to the cognitive dysfunction seen in the disease." "This is the first study to show reduced
levels of this important regulatory molecule in schizophrenia,"
said Dr. William Bunney, another senior member of the research team.
"If DARPP-32 plays such a key role in controlling physiological
activity in this part of the brain, perhaps there could be methods
we could use to eventually maintain normal levels of the molecule."
|